Last year, archaeologists in Olney, near Milton Keynes, uncovered the remains of a Roman villa and bath house under land destined to become an Aldi supermarket. Perhaps this inspired the new range of Aldi Unearthed wines, although the idea seems similar to Marks & Spencer’s “Found” range of wines. The idea is to introduce consumers to lesser-known wines and grape varieties.
Custoza is one of the lesser-known regions of the Veneto in Italy, covering roughly the same vineyard land as Bardolino. This wine is made from two local grape varieties, garganega and cortese, known locally as bianca fernanda. I am not sure how rare garganega is, as according to Wine-Searcher.com it is the most widely planted Italian white grape variety. Cortese is best-known as the grape behind Gavi.
Malvasia Nero is grown in the Puglia region which forms the heel of Italy. It varies in style from light to full-bodied.
Unearthed Custoza 2023
Lively and fresh with textured pears and peaches and a rounded finish. A good aperitif, or with summery salads. 12% abv. €8.99 from Aldi
Unearthed Castellore Malvasia Nera 2022, Puglia
A sweetish medium-bodied wine with soft very ripe plums, dark cherries and chocolate. Good on its own or with red meats. 12% abv. €8.99 from Aldi.
